Mumbai to Kaniyakumari - 21 day fully escorted tour

$4,100 - per person land only

HIGHLIGHTS:  Departing Mumbai on Feb 2, 2011.  Sites of city then off to Ellora, Golgumbas and the magical temples of Hampi, Chitradurga, Halebid and Belur.  Mysore Palace and down south to relax in Kerala and cruise on the houseboat before heading to Kanyakumari and Trivandrum, and back to Mumbai.

DAY 1 – MUMBAI:  Mumbai arrival day - airport pickup and transfer to hotel.

DAY 2 – MUMBAI:  Orientation and city walking tour to the Gateway of India. Afternoon tour of the sights of the busiest and most exuberant city in India.  Mumbai is the most populous city in India.  Visit Chowpatty Beach, Malabar Hill and all the famous sights of south Mumbai.

DAY 3 – AURANGABAD:  Fly to Aurangabad.  Afternoon city tour, Bibi Ka Maqaba (mini Taj), and relaxing around the swimming pool in our eco–hotel.

DAY 4 – AURANGABAD: Visit the World Heritage Site of Ellora, famous for its cave temples and for the magnificent Kailasa Temple, the world’s largest monolithic sculpture.  Climb and see the views from Daulatabad Fort.  This ancient Islamic city is full of wonders.

DAY 5 – BIJAPUR:  Day drive south to the Islamic city of Bijapur in the state of Kanataka. Tour dinner together.

DAY 6 – BIJAPUR:  Visit the massive Gol Gumbaz site, the largest dome after the Vatican.  The city is situated on the central Deccan Plains, and we visit village life along the way. The Ibrahim Rauza mausoleum is a beautiful and peaceful site.  We will visit the Jamma Mosque on our city tour.

DAY 7 - HOSPET/HAMPI:  Drive to Hospet in the morning.  Village life of Central India visited.  Afternoon, we arrive at our hotel.  After lunch, tour the perimeter sights of Hampi.

DAY 8 - HOSPET/HAMPI:  Set amid a spectacular boulder strewn landscape, the capital of the Vijayanagar kingdom, Hampi, is full of delightful surprises. In the 14th century, the markets here overflowed with luxuriant silks and brilliant diamonds. Today, Hampi’s bazaar and the massive ruins attract internationals and hippies alike. People are drawn back again and again to this magical place.  Overnight at Malligi Tourist Hotel.

DAY 9 – CHITRADURGA: Dramatically positioned at the base of a rugged chain of hills, Chitradurga is a past outpost of the Vijayanagar Empire, boosting a huge fort defined by walls of massive granite blocks rising above the town. The Kallina Kote (Palace of Stone) Fort is a marvel of military architecture.

DAY 10 – HASSAN:  A convenient base to visit the magnificent temples at Halebid and Belur. Intricately carved Hoysala temples on a huge scale. Here we also visit typical rural Indian villages.

DAY 11 – MYSORE:  Morning drive to Sravanabelagola, a Jain pilgrimage site and home to the world’s tallest monolithic statue of Buddha.  Climb 480 steps to the world famous Jain site, situated on top of a giant boulder.   Afternoon visit to the flower market and palace in Mysore, India’s most tourist-friendly city.

DAY 12 – MYSORE:  Famed for its silk, sandalwood, oils and incense. Wander the old city in search of aromatherapy oils or hand rolled bedis. The tour includes a visit to Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hill to visit the Sri Chamnundeswari Temple.  From Mysore we take a half-day trip to Somnathpur Temple and its superb sculptures.  In Mysore it is a pleasure to just walk the streets and mingle with the friendly locals. 

DAY 13 – BANGALORE:  A very cosmopolitan city full of parks and green spaces, peoplewatching and culture. Bangalore’s MG Road has shops, cinemas, restaurants, and glitzy watering holes.  This is the place to be if you are an up-and-coming cyber-executive.  Dinner and evening walk around the big city lights.

DAY 14 – COCHIN:  Fly to Cochin in the morning, and transfer to hotel.  Afternoon, we go sightseeing in the old Fort Cochin.  Visit St Francis Church, the oldest church in India, 500 year old Portuguese houses, cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, a 16th century synagogue, Jew Town and Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese (this palace contains some of India’s most beautiful murals).  Evening shopping.

DAY 15 – KUMARAKOM:  Morning journey to Kumarakom, which has panoramic backwater stretches, lush paddy fields, highlands and extensive rubber plantations.  On arrival, check into a beautiful backwater resort.  Rest of the day, free to relax in the resort.  Overnight stay at Backwater Ripples (garden view room).

DAY 16 – HOUSEBOAT:  After breakfast, we check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala style (Kettuvallam) and cruise through the backwaters of tropical paradise.  Stay overnight on the houseboat with deluxe A/C - a highlight to any India tour!

DAY 17 – VARKALA:  Afternoon arrival at this unique Kerala beach resort, built upon a cliff above the beach. Famous for yoga, ayurveda health and relaxing on the tropical sands.

DAY 18 – VARKALA:  Free day to relax on the beach. Get a massage, bodywork, your astrological chart, plus fine wine and dining to round off the day.

DAY 19 – KANIYAKUMARI: Drive to Kaniyakumari.  On the way, we visit Padmanabhapuram Palace and Sucheendram Temple.  Afternoon, tour Kaniyakumari, the southernmost tip of peninsular India.  The confluence of three seas, Kanyakumari is a beautiful blend of sun and mystic Hinduism.  We visit Swami Vivekananda Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue (133 ft) and Kanyakumari Temple.  Awake at dawn on the roof of the hotel for sunrise.

DAY 20 – TRIVANDRUM:  Morning drive to the capital city of Kerala.  City tour, and last night to shop and dine on local cuisine before departure.

DAY 21 – MUMBAI:  Fly back to Mumbai and departure home.

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